NFL notes
Published 11:39 pm Wednesday, January 16, 2008
DOLPHINS: Tony Sparano is going to work for Bill Parcells again, this time as coach of the Miami Dolphins. Sparano, who had been the Dallas Cowboys’ assistant head coach, accepted an offer Wednesday from new Miami boss Parcells. They worked together with the Cowboys when Parcells was the head coach from 2003-06. Sparano becomes the Dolphins’ fifth head coach since 2004.
FALCONS: One day after introducing their new general manager, the Atlanta Falcons got back to work trying to find a head coach, meeting with Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett for the second time. Thomas Dimitroff, who was hired as GM last weekend, indicated the Falcons may have their man by the end of this week. If that’s the case, Garrett and former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan head the list. They are the only two candidates to get a second interview with Atlanta so far.
GIANTS: New York cornerback Aaron Ross returned to practice and said he would be ready to play in the NFC title game against the Green Bay Packers. Ross had to leave the NFC semifinal in Dallas on Sunday after his right shoulder twice popped out of its socket. The first-round pick from Texas plans to wear a harness on Sunday.
The Giants practiced in Giants Stadium, where the temperature was about 40 degrees. The forecast for the title game in Green Bay calls for a game-time temperature of about 4 degrees.
CHIEFS: Kansas City hired ex-Georgia Tech head coach Chan Gailey to be the offensive coordinator.
TITANS: Tennessee was granted permission to talk to Denver assistant head coach Mike Heimerdinger, a day after dismissing offensive coordinator Norm Chow. Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher hired Heimerdinger away from the Broncos to be his offensive coordinator in 2000 and let him leave in 2005 for the same job with the New York Jets.
Authorities in Georgia say a woman who accused suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones of hitting her has withdrawn her petition to have him arrested.
BILLS: Turk Schonert was promoted to offensive coordinator after serving as the team’s quarterbacks coach the past two seasons.
PANTHERS: Carolina owner Jerry Richardson said he never considered firing coach John Fox and general manager Marty Hurney.
Associated Press
